News
Lawrenny: £7m development plans on show
PLANS for a major housing development and farm relocation in the small village of Lawrenny are being put out for a pre-planning public consultation this week.
Lawrenny Home Farm development, a circa £7m project, will see around 33 new homes and up to 7 live-work offices built in the National Park village. The mixed-use residential development was part of a Europe-wide Royal Institute of British Architects competition to find a perfect design, in keeping with the village.
The plan to modernise and expand Lawrenny was originally conceived by farmer David Lort-Phillips and presented to the Local authority in 1970. Over 40 years he rebuilt and modernised the mostly 18th Century cottages.
When he began there were around a dozen habitable cottages, few with running water. Now there are 35 homes and more than twenty businesses based in the community. First phase restoration work was recognised in the Prince of Wales Award scheme in 1975. In 2007 the village won the Calor Best Village in Wales award.
“Pembrokeshire is already one of the most wonderful places to live in the UK,” said David.
“Small villages like Lawrenny have the potential to provide an almost unparalleled work-life balance. Lawrenny is a peaceful and beautiful location yet one which will have some of the best internet speeds in Wales, serving modern, beautifully designed and well-built homes and offices. This village is right in the middle of the National Park, on the shores of the Haven, a short distance from the coast: it provides a natural playground for young and old.
“Building homes in our communities that serve the needs of 21st Century families brings huge value into the local area and to Pembrokeshire as a whole. Not only do local trades and services benefit from the investment, but the local community can also draw back its own sons and daughters to raise their families here. What’s more it attracts talented and ambitious newcomers who choose Pembrokeshire as the place to get that work-life balance just right.”
The proposed homes and offices, to be heated by woodchip from local woodlands, will almost double the size of the existing village. They will also have some of the best internet connectivity in the UK with so called Fibre to the Home (FTTH) bringing speeds of up to 300mbps.
The development will also see the old Home Farm, an organic dairy business that has been based in the middle of the village for 60 years, moved to a new purpose built site outside the village adjacent to Broad Lane. The farm relocation will see the existing organic dairy fully upgraded comprising of a new dairy unit, slurry store, calf shed and underpass.
The consultation exercise, which will commence today (Mar 16), will give locals an opportunity to review the latest designs following an earlier public consultation undertaken in July / August 2016. Following the initial consultation feedback, a new road access leading to the residential site along an existing farm track has been proposed, to reduce any traffic impact on the local community.
Farm plans and additional technical reports have also been completed, for example, reviewing Transport, local Archaeology, Visual Impact and Ecology matters.
During a recent consultation, the proposed plans have already been highly commended by the Design Commission for Wales.
In the recent DCfW review, DCfW noted: “The client/landowner is to be credited for the strong, positive vision and strategy for the long term development of the village and an attitude of stewardship. The architects similarly show a clarity of narrative and philosophy of design. The scheme presented at the review has the potential to be an exemplar of rural development in Wales”
Plans for the proposed mixed-use residential scheme and organic dairy can be viewed via www.atriarcgroup.com/clients/
Copies of the plans are also available to view in Lawrenny Village shop (Lawrenny), Tenby Library (Greenhil Avenue, Tenby) and at the Planning Offices of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (Llanion Park, Pembroke Dock).
Wayne Reynolds from Atriarc Planning will be in attendance next Friday (Mar 24) from 3pm to 6pm at Lawrenny Village shop to go through the proposals and answer any queries local residents (or interested people) may have.
The formal planning application(s) are expected to be submitted to the National Park in the late spring.
Health
Phone calls to reduce GP visits for 42% of patients this winter
NEW research from the Royal Voluntary Service has shown that a simple phone call could significantly impact well-being, reducing GP visits by 42% among patients who receive regular telephone support.
The charity urges those feeling isolated this winter, particularly the elderly, to use telephone support services as a way to improve health and free up GP appointments, potentially reducing waiting times. It is estimated that if people experiencing loneliness in later life reduced their GP visits by just one appointment a year, this could free up 588,000 appointments annually.
As winter approaches, the Royal Voluntary Service reports that isolation can sharply increase, especially for adults over 75, with nearly half (47%) of people in this age group feeling lonelier in the colder months. Among those who live alone, one in six say they feel forgotten during winter, and 20% report having no one to turn to for emotional support.
In addition to loneliness, older generations face several winter worries, including increased heating costs, cited by 55% of respondents, and reduced ability to go out, which 29% said they dreaded as winter sets in.
To address these challenges, Royal Voluntary Service has launched the Stay Safe, Warm and Well campaign in partnership with Yakult. The campaign provides a guide for practical and emotional winter preparation, encouraging sign-ups for telephone support services and offering access to the Virtual Village Hall online community for events and activities. Practical advice on money-saving and energy-saving tips is also available through the guide.
Royal Voluntary Service Ambassador Elaine Paige, who has herself made support calls for the charity, described the positive impact these calls can have. “A warm, friendly phone call can transform someone’s day. Some conversations leave you smiling long after the call ends—something we could all use, especially in winter. For those facing the season alone, there are amazing people ready to remind you that you’re not alone,” she said.
The charity’s support services match volunteers with individuals across the UK for friendly chats, reducing isolation and boosting mental health. Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service, said: “The feedback that conversations with volunteers are helping people to visit their GP less is testament to the value of connection.”
Yakult Marketing Manager Reshma Patel added: “Our research with Royal Voluntary Service shows that one in four adults over 75 feel they’d benefit from practical and emotional support over winter. We are committed to helping people access the Stay Safe, Warm and Well guide to support their overall well-being.”
Crime
Welsh shop workers face ‘surge in shoplifting linked violence and abuse’ says union
A NEW survey by retail trade union Usdaw has revealed disturbing figures on the abuse, threats, and violence endured by Welsh shop workers, with incidents increasingly linked to shoplifting. Released during Respect for Shop Workers Week, which runs from November 11 to 17, the statistics highlight a troubling trend that is impacting thousands of retail employees.
Usdaw’s survey, based on responses from over 4,000 retail staff, shows that in the past year:
- 69% experienced verbal abuse.
- 45% were threatened by customers.
- 17% were assaulted.
Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis commented on the findings, saying: “Shop workers deserve far more respect than they receive. These reports from Welsh retail staff make grim reading. It is shocking to see over two-thirds of our members subjected to abuse, threats, and violence. Seven in ten of these incidents are related to theft, much of it tied to addiction and organised crime.”
Usdaw’s survey suggests that shoplifting is increasingly becoming a flashpoint for violence. Many shop workers report encountering hardened criminals who appear to steal goods “to order” or to fund addictions. According to the union, incidents are on the rise across Wales, with police-reported shoplifting up by 33% in the past year.
Usdaw member testimonies paint a vivid picture of the dangers faced on the shop floor:
- One respondent described being “spat at, pushed against a wall, punched, and threatened with a knife.”
- Another reported that, after refusing to sell alcohol, they were told to “F**k off” and threatened with a beating by a group of five.
- Others spoke of being punched, spat on, and verbally abused, with threats that often left lasting emotional scars.
New measures on the horizon
Usdaw has been calling for greater legal protection for retail workers for years, and it appears these calls are finally being heard. The recent Crime and Policing Bill, announced in the King’s Speech, proposes to:
- End the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, which has been a source of frustration for retailers.
- Introduce town centre banning orders for repeat offenders.
- Allocate funding for tackling organised shoplifting and increase police presence in shopping areas.
“We welcome these new measures and hope they will provide much-needed protection,” said Mr. Lillis. “After 14 years of neglect under successive Tory governments, we are encouraged by the steps the new Labour government is taking to address the retail crime epidemic.”
As Christmas approaches—a time when retail crime tends to peak—Usdaw is urging the public to “respect shop workers” and remain calm as stores become busier.
Usdaw, which represents around 360,000 members, primarily in retail, launched its Freedom From Fear Campaign to tackle the growing issue of violence against shop workers. The final results of the 2024 survey are expected in March 2025.
Charity
Milford Haven RNLI celebrates heartfelt donation from Neyland Ladies Choir
MILFORD HAVEN RNLI Fundraising Group received a generous donation of over £1,000 from Neyland Ladies Choir this October, marking a touching tribute to Mrs. Dorothy Beckett, one of the RNLI’s longest-standing supporters.
The Neyland Ladies Choir held a special concert at St. Mary’s Church on Waterloo Road, Hakin, to celebrate Dorothy Beckett’s 90th birthday. A lifelong supporter of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Dorothy has played a crucial role in lifeboat fundraising in the Milford Haven area, dating back to the 1970s. She was instrumental in establishing the Hakin Point RNLI fundraising group, which has raised over £500,000 to support the RNLI’s lifesaving work.
The concert’s proceeds were presented in a moving ceremony at Bethesda Baptist Church in Neyland. Accepting the donation on behalf of the RNLI were Steve Lewis, Chairman of the fundraising group, and Thomas Kehoe, Deputy Coxswain of the Angle Lifeboat.
Adding to the evening’s celebrations, Alice Coleman, RNLI Community Manager, presented Dorothy with the Long Service Medal, recognizing her fifty years of dedication to the institution. This award, given by the RNLI, honors Dorothy’s unwavering commitment to saving lives at sea.
“Thank you, Neyland Ladies Choir and Dorothy Beckett,” said the RNLI in a heartfelt message to the community. “Your support and dedication mean the world to us.”
The Milford Haven RNLI Fundraising Group encourages supporters to share and spread the word, hoping that Dorothy’s legacy inspires continued community support.
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